Closing reception for Henry Varnum Poor: Commemorating 125 Years set

Friday

Sep 28, 2012 at 9:57 AMSep 28, 2012 at 10:04 AM

The Birger SandzÚn Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg is hosting a closing reception for the exhibition Henry Varnum Poor: Commemorating 125 Years, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday,with a talk by Curator Ron Michael at 2:30.

The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg is hosting a closing reception for the exhibition Henry Varnum Poor: Commemorating 125 Years, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday,with a talk by Curator Ron Michael at 2:30. The date marks the 125th anniversary of Poor's birth in Chapman.Henry Varnum Poor became one of the most recognized figures in American art during the 1930s and 40s, and was known for his multi-faceted artistic talents as a painter, potter, builder, writer, teacher, organizer, and more. He was a self-described "jack-of-all-trades." Poor, the great nephew of the founder of Standard and Poor's, was born in Chapman on Sept. 30, 1887. He moved with his family to Kansas City in 1896, but continued to return to Chapman throughout his youth. He entered Stanford University in the fall of 1906, graduating in 1910. He continued his art studies in London and Paris before returning to Stanford to teach. He later taught at the San Francisco Institute of Art. Following service in World War I, he and his second wife, Marion Dorn, settled near New City, New York, and Poor constructed their home using local stone and hand-hewn timbers. When the house was complete, he extended his artistic activities beyond painting and began working in ceramics. In the ensuing years, he continued to explore those and a variety of other media. He also constructed houses and building for friends such as playwright Maxwell Anderson, and actors Burgess Meredith and John Houseman,Poor additionally served as a teacher at various institutions including the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and Columbia University. He co-founded the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Skowhegan, Maine, and was a resident artist at the American Academy in Rome, Italy.The exhibition at the Sandzén Gallery features works from throughout Poor's career and includes paintings, drawings, prints and ceramics from collections throughout the region. The Sandzén Gallery is located at 401 North First Street in Lindsborg. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Gallery is closed on Mondays. Admission is free, contributions welcomed. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment with the Gallery. For additional information visit the website at www.sandzen.org or call (785) 227-2220.